workshops
SUMMER 2020
We are registering now with the HOPE that we will once again be meeting IN PERSON. All workshops will be restructured and available via Zoom or a combination of Zoom and in person, if need be. *If finances are an issue, please contact us to discuss partial scholarships.
For registration and inquiries, click or call.
914.643.6573
Creative Writing
Fantasy. Sci-Fi. Realistic Fiction. Humor. Anything goes in this workshop where writers build and practice the skills needed to create strong, interesting characters whose stories are bursting to be told. We will read excerpts from published writers, engage in short writing challenges, and look at style, grammar and editing. Risk-taking and revision will be celebrated!
Two Offerings
Session 1
Dates: July 6 – July 10
Times: 11:00am – 3:00pm, plus at least one private writing conference*
Session 2
Dates: August 3 – August7
Times: 11:00am – 3:00pm, plus at least one private writing conference*
For: 8th -12th grade students
Cost: $460
(4 minimum; 8 maximum)
*Private session will be scheduled once workshop begins
Creative Personal Narratives
Your first overnight. Your first dive. That time you got lost or tasted raw oysters or felt betrayed or accepted a crazy dare.
Personal narratives are a lot of fun to write because they are about YOU, and no one knows more about you – what you think, feel, remember, wish – than you. This workshop is a fabulous opportunity for students to work on writing skills as they explore moments from their lives and tell their stories. Personal narratives combine essay with creative writing. The result is poignant, vibrant writing that celebrates the writer. Finding each writer's unique voice and helping him/her discover the larger impact of chosen moments is one of several goals.
Dates: July 27 - July 31
Times: 11:00am – 3:00pm, plus at least one private writing conference*
For: 8th -12th grade students
Cost: $460
(4 minimum; 8 maximum)
*Private session will be scheduled once workshop begins
Playwriting
(Due to the nature of this workshop, it will run only if we're again meeting in person. We're registering now with high hopes that we'll be doing just that.)
All the world's a stage, right? But without a good script, it's a pretty boring one. This introduction to playwriting will focus on developing narrative and character through realistic dialogue, conflict and action. We will read excerpts from plays, tackle short, playful challenges, and act out each other's works-in-progress. The goal of the week is to complete one performance-ready scene, to have a developing understanding of how to write a play, and to have fun. Toward the end of the week, writers will meet with teen actors from the theater company Arc Stages and see how their words look with legs.
Dates: July 13 – 17
Times: 11:00am – 3:00pm, plus at least one private writing conference*
For: 9th -12th grade students
Cost: $460
(4 minimum; 8 maximum)
*Private session will be scheduled once workshop begins
The College Essay CRUSH
This two-day, six-hour college essay intensive will arm your senior with the skills and direct feedback needed to write an authentic, dazzling essay. Students will leave with solid drafts of the common app essay and an understanding of what they need to do in order to confidently hit SUBMIT. Show those colleges who you are. #Crushtheessay
Three Offerings
Session 1
Dates: July 1 & 2
Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm*
Session 2
Dates: August 5 & 6
Times: 4:00pm – 7:00pm*
Session 3
Dates: August 25 & 26
Times: 4:00pm – 7:00pm*
For: Rising Seniors
Cost: $350
(4 minimum; 8 maximum)
*Each participant gets one follow-up feedback/editing exchange with Wordcraft owner Wendy Fried
Writers' Workout
Have an intense and fun writing workout each day. This week is for teens who want to work on the craft of writing. We will engage in a variety of short activities in order to condition and strengthen overall writing skills. From personal narratives to reader response to editorials to film reviews to persuasive arguments, an assortment of writing challenges will give writers the chance to hone their writing and thinking. Editing skills and grammar rules will be taught.
Two Offerings
Session 1
Dates: July 27 – July 31
Times: 4:30 – 6:30
Session 2
Dates: August 10 – August 14
Times: 1:00 – 3:00
For: 8th -12th grade students
Cost: $275
(4 minimum; 8 maximum)
Young Writers' Workshop:
MURDER AT THE MARMADUKE
We'll bring the CREATIVE back to writing as we write murder mysteries. A variety of writing prompts will give writers the opportunity to explore story, character and language. We will also read excerpts from mysteries and discuss how authors create mood, develop character and move a story forward. In true workshop style, writers will share their work and offer constructive feedback. We'll also work on specific grammar rules and organizational strategies. Having fun is a priority!
Dates: August 10 – August 14
Times: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
For: 6th – 8th grade students
Cost: $275
(4 minimum; 8 maximum)
Private Writing Intensive
We all know those kids – the ones with a partial screenplay or novel or short story on their computers. Here's their opportunity to finish. This special summer coaching opportunity will help your teen move forward with a writing project that has been rattling around. At a reduced summer rate, your teen will set up 5 private 45-minute sessions with one of our writing coaches. Coaches will read and discuss the works in progress, listen to the writer’s goals and questions, and set a time-line with clear goals to help writers move forward. Package must be purchased by July 10. Spots limited.
Dates: Scheduled throughout the summer
For: 8th – 12th grades (high school graduates class of 2020 are welcome, too)
Cost: $450*
*reflects summer discount
College Conversations
Helping Parents Maintain Sanity During The College Application Process
Don't get pulled into the swirl of anxiety that too often consumes families during the college application process. Connect with other parents, get informed, ask your questions, share your worries. In a non-competitive, good-humored environment, we will listen to your concerns and frustrations (and there might be a lot of them!), help expand your understanding of the Common App essay, supplemental essays, and the Common Application, and try to help you keep perspective. In order to keep your senior calm and positive throughout this process, you need to stay calm and positive. That's hard to do, especially with a 17-year old in the house. Let us help.
Dates: Three week nights this summer, TBA
Times: 7:30 – 8:30pm
Cost: $75
For: Parents or caregivers of high school seniors
(4 minimum; 8 maximum)
The College Essay CRUSH
This two-day, six-hour college essay intensive will arm your senior with the skills and direct feedback needed to write an authentic, dazzling essay. Students will leave with solid drafts of the common app essay and an understanding of what they need to do in order to confidently hit SUBMIT. Show those colleges who you are. #Crushtheessay
Two Offerings
Session 1
Dates: September TBA and TBA
Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm*
Session 2
Dates: October TBA and TBA
Times: 4:00pm – 7:00pm*
Cost: $350
(4 minimum; 8 maximum)
*Each participant gets one follow-up feedback/editing exchange with Wordcraft owner Wendy Fried
The College Essay LAB
Three hours of quiet, focused, supervised time to help your senior MOVE FORWARD. One of our coaches will be here to field questions, prioritize tasks, ease anxiety, and have private writing conferences. This is for seniors who already have working drafts of their common app essay, are ready to revise and also tackle needed supplements.
Come for 1, 2 or all 3 hours.
Cost: $45/hr.
$125 for all 3
LAB 1: TBA
LAB 2: TBA
LAB 3: TBA
One-Night Writes!
Join our creative writing series. Each Friday workshop will have a different theme. All workshops focus on developing craft, honing skill, and encouraging risk taking. Sign up for individual or all workshops.
Fridays, 6-8:30
Cost: $75 per workshop
Teens only
All Dates TBA
All Things CREEPY
Dark shadows, spooky noises, creaks and squeaks in the night. The fall is brimming with wonderfully sinister things, and we love it. We’ll hone writing skills by exploring the creepy writings of others and then by jumping into our own.
Twisted Holiday Stories
The holiday season brings out the wacky and wonderful in everyone. Writers will focus on compelling storytelling as they explore character development and conflict. We'll share and offer feedback, as well as read holiday stories by David Sedaris, Rainbow Rowell, David Levithan, and more.
The Heart is a Badass Hunter
This workshop will give writers the opportunity to have fun with Valentine and romantic tropes. We're going to focus on crafting stories that twist, warp, and smash those romanticized romantic notions.
Teen Novelist Intensive: A Novel Group!
Our ongoing writers' group
This intimate intensive is for teen writers already with longer works in progress. We will meet weekly to discuss each other's work, offer honest feedback, and work through the many stumbling points of the writing process. Each writer will meet individually with a coach in addition to the weekly group meeting. In addition to working regularly on their own writing, writers are required to read each other's work each week in order to help their peers move forward.
adults
FALL 2020
adults
Women Writing Among Women
Creative Personal Narratives
Whether it's about motherhood or menopause, the decisions to work, stay home, change careers, or figure out what we want to do when we grown up; about being single, newlywed, or married for decades; or about life as a female (and all that entails!), you will have the opportunity to explore your experiences, thoughts, and skills in this intimate group. This workshop is a fabulous opportunity for experienced and novice writers to stretch their skills as they explore moments from their lives and tell their stories while connecting with other women. Personal narratives combine essay with creative writing. The result is poignant, vibrant writing that celebrates the writer. Finding each writer's unique voice and helping her discover the larger impact of chosen moments is one of several goals. Laughter and a few tears assured.
For: All women regardless of age or experience
Dates: Six Wednesdays, 2-hour sessions, starting in October. Dates and Times TBA
Price: $360
"With her encouraging and thoughtful demeanor, Wendy brought out the best in me as a writer, reader, and thinker."
--Noah, Chappaqua, New York
"Wendy taught me how to transform my scattered thoughts into a flowing personal narrative that spoke true to me. Between brainstorming, writing, and editing, she elevated my abilities as both a thinker and a writer while also helping me navigate this critical college application process. I am so thankful for her help in getting into my first choice school."
-Eddie Tu
Pleasantville High School, class of 2017
Harvard University, class of 2021
Not only does Wendy instill the zest for writing, but she somehow weaves in style, grammar, structure, and composition. Wendy gave my daughter a direction, passion, confidence, and most importantly, a voice.
-Erin Sheridan
Briarcliff Manor, New York
“Wendy was instrumental in helping me focus my college essay. From the jumble of ideas that was my first draft she helped me organize my thoughts and figure out what I wanted to say and how best to say it. She never just told me what to write, she helped me figure out how to say what I wanted to say. My essay came together really well and kept a strong consistent narrative voice throughout thanks to her.”
— Julia, Masters School
Oberlin College
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Personal, creative challenges, when it's right for your child (or for you).